The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

How Do You Manage Your Kids’ Digital Devices?

How Do You Manage Your Kids' Digital Devices? by Matt Trevathan "How do you monitor your child’s phone?" I get asked this question a lot. It's easy to get scared as a parent these days with the amount of data and access that a mobile device provides your teenager. Many parents are understandably concerned about the access to the Internet, messaging, mobile apps, … [Read more...]

Girls for Gunslingers: An Online Tribe for America’s Patriots

Girls for Gunslingers: An Online Tribe for America's Patriots by Scott Faith This first appeared in The Havok Journal March 11, 2019. When her husband embarked on his fourth combat deployment, his tiny little Irish girl answered his frustration at the lack of available news, humor, and hot chicks on the Army internet by founding the Girls for Gunslingers Facebook page. … [Read more...]

Feral Children in the 2020s: How Can This Still Be Happening?

Feral Children in the 2020s: How Can This Still Be Happening? by Special Guest We all know the story of Tarzan, an orphaned boy brought up by gorillas in the jungle. These are scenes that we only hope to see on the movie screens. However, there have been thousands of cases all across the world of feral children. Feral children are kids who have had limited human interaction … [Read more...]

The Remembrance Bracelet

The Remembrance Bracelet by C.H. The metal edge clinks against the dining room table as he sits down for dinner. When he rests his hand on my back, I can feel the extra weight of it against my body. I can feel it digging into my flesh when we make love. Again, it's there as we snuggle on the couch. The sun catches the worn sides as he holds my daughter’s hands. At … [Read more...]

Be Less Depressed: How to Be Positive in the Winter Season

Be Less Depressed: How to Be Positive in the Winter Season by Scott Faith Feeling depressed in the wintertime can make the season less bright. Isolation and a desolate landscape can have the worst effect on some people. Rather than letting it get you down, find ways to be positive instead. Take Care of Your Health Working out regularly, eating right and exercising … [Read more...]

Steady as She Goes

Steady as She Goes by L.A. Gardner This first appeared in The Havok Journal February 17, 2019. “Steady as she goes….hold the line.” The words resonated off the screen at me in a way that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Secretary of Defense Mattis, Mad-Dog, father of many Marine and Soldier warriors, a hero to many and a non-tarnishable example of service and patriotism- … [Read more...]

The Deadliest Day of Operation Iraqi Freedom

The Deadliest Day of Operation Iraqi Freedom by Charlie Moose In late January of 2005, the Lava Dawgs had just left the city of Fallujah after 75 days of some of the most intense, offensive operations of scale in the Iraq War. Everyone was elated to have survived. They were each given 2 beers per man as a late Christmas covenant. The snap and pop of aluminum cans gave clear … [Read more...]

Do You Love Yourself Enough?

February 14th observes the ultimate, hyped-up holiday of ‘love.’ My first Valentine’s Day after discovering my husband’s unfaithfulness, he spewed, “Who could love you? No man could possibly ever love you.” My first Valentine’s Day as a newly-singled mom, lovers sent flowers to coworkers, triggering a flash flood of tears plunging down my cheeks. Alone with no husband, my … [Read more...]